Election Commission trying to bring NRC through backdoor: TMC MP Derek O'Brien

Addressing a press conference, O'Brien said, "The EC (Election Commission) is trying to bring the NRC in from the back door. In 1935 under the Nazis, you were supposed to be given an ancestor pass. Some proof of paper to show that you are an Indian citizen is this the new version of that Nazi Ancestor Pass?..."

The TMC leader said all INDIA bloc parties will raise the issue both inside and outside Parliament. "All the INDIA bloc parties will take this up in and outside Parliament..."

O'Brien has also raised questions on the ECI's procedure saying the documents required for the verification are excess.

The parliamentarian said, "Under this, new and existing voters have to submit proof of birth & birthplace for those born before July 1987. Proof of birth & birthplace for self and one parent for those born between July 1987 to December 2004. Proof of birth & birthplace for self and both parents for those born after December 2004. If these documents are not submitted within a month, your name will be deleted from the voter list. TMC has the highest regard for the Election Commission of India as a constitutional body, but the constitutional body should not turn into the branch office of the BJP.

"Why is this exercise being suddenly done right now? We have evidence that it is being done now because the latest BJP's internal survey for Bengal shows the BJP will get 46 to 49 seats in Bengal Assembly polls. In desperation to change or attempt to change things, you do these desperate things..."

Earlier this week, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised the issue and accused the ECI of implementing NRC, which is opposed by the INDIA camp, through backdoor.

Mamata said, "How will the poor people get all the certificates? Is it NRC? Are they working to establish NRC? What is their intention? They should clarify. What's happening in this country?"

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the Centre, has hit back at Mamata claiming the TMC is afraid of losing its "fake vote bank" in its backyard, West Bengal.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya wrote, " Why is Mamata Banerjee rattled? Is she worried that the fake votebank she has built over the years—through unchecked infiltration and appeasement—is finally under scrutiny?"

"Ensuring clean and accurate voter rolls is NOT NRC. It is electoral integrity. Only those who thrive on illegal votes fear the cleansing of the system."